As parents, we do everything we can to ensure our children grow up healthy, happy, and ready to learn. But one aspect of childhood health that often gets overlooked is vision care.
Many parents assume that if their child isn't complaining about their eyesight, there’s no problem. However, many childhood vision issues develop silently, impacting learning, behavior, and confidence.
Dr. Lewis Eye Care believes that early and regular eye exams are key to lifelong vision health. This guide will walk you through when to schedule your child’s first eye exam, common vision problems in children, and how parents can support their family’s eye health.
Why Are Pediatric Eye Exams Important?
Children rely on clear vision for nearly every part of their development—from reading in the classroom to playing sports and developing hand-eye coordination. When vision problems go undiagnosed, they can lead to:
- Learning difficulties – Struggling to focus on books, worksheets, or whiteboards.
- Behavioral concerns – Frustration, frequent headaches, and difficulty concentrating.
- Delayed development – Vision plays a crucial role in motor skills and social interaction.
Because children don’t always know what “normal” vision should look like, regular pediatric eye exams help catch and correct problems before they impact development.
When Should Children Have Their First Eye Exam?
Many parents wait until their child starts school to schedule an eye exam, but vision problems can develop much earlier. The American Optometric Association (AOA) recommends the following schedule:
- Infants (6–12 months old): A baby’s first eye exam should happen around six months to check for conditions like lazy eye (amblyopia) and crossed eyes (strabismus).
- Preschoolers (3–5 years old): At this age, children should have an eye exam to detect nearsightedness, farsightedness, astigmatism, and eye coordination issues.
- School-age children (6+ years old): As learning becomes more visually demanding, annual eye exams are recommended to ensure strong reading skills and focus in the classroom.
Even if your child passes a school vision screening, they should still have a full eye exam! School screenings only test for basic distance vision and can miss hidden issues like poor depth perception or tracking problems.
Common Vision Issues in Children
- Nearsightedness (Myopia): Blurry distance vision, making it hard to see the board at school.
- Farsightedness (Hyperopia): Trouble focusing on books, worksheets, or tablets.
- Astigmatism: Blurred vision at all distances due to an irregularly shaped cornea.
- Amblyopia (Lazy Eye): One eye is weaker than the other, leading to depth perception issues.
- Strabismus (Crossed Eyes): Misaligned eyes can cause double vision and eye strain.
Early detection allows for corrective treatments, such as glasses, vision therapy, or specialized eye exercises to improve vision development.
What to Expect During a Pediatric Eye Exam
We make pediatric eye exams fun, engaging, and stress-free for kids. During the exam, we will:
- Check visual acuity to determine if your child needs glasses.
- Assess eye alignment and tracking to ensure both eyes work together.
- Perform a full eye health screening to detect any early signs of disease.
- Test depth perception and color vision to catch any potential concerns.
If needed, we’ll discuss corrective eyewear or vision therapy programs to support your child’s visual development.
How Parents Can Support Their Child’s Vision Health
- Squinting or rubbing their eyes frequently.
- Holding books or tablets too close.
- Avoiding reading or struggling with schoolwork.
- Encourage Outdoor Play: Studies show that spending at least 2 hours a day outside can help slow the progression of nearsightedness (myopia).
- Limit Screen Time & Use the 20-20-20 Rule: Encourage frequent screen breaks—every 20 minutes, look at something 20 feet away for 20 seconds.
- Provide an Eye-Healthy Diet: Foods rich in omega-3s, vitamin A, and lutein (like salmon, carrots, and leafy greens) support healthy vision.
Book a Pediatric Eye Exam
Dr. Lewis Eye Care provides gentle, thorough, and kid-friendly eye exams to ensure your child’s vision is developing properly.
Give your child the gift of clear vision—schedule a pediatric eye exam now.